Can parishioners give each other ashes on Ash Wednesday?
The short answer
Lay ministers may help a priest or deacon distribute ashes, but only a priest or deacon may bless them. Leaving ashes unattended on the altar for people to give one another is not provided for and should not be allowed.
Lay ministers may be deputed to help distribute blessed ashes. The Book of Blessings (1659) says the rite may be celebrated by a priest or deacon, who may be assisted by lay ministers in distributing the ashes; the blessing itself is reserved to a priest or deacon.
Leaving the ashes unattended on the altar for people to come and give to each other is not provided for by the rubrics and should not be permitted.
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